So the journey began to get the horses over—my sweet mare April and our mini, Chloe. We planned on making the trek in three days. As with most plans involving horses, things didn’t go exactly as expected. As we loaded the horses for the first leg of the trip, I … Read More
A real-life reminder that preparation, community, and experience make all the difference when life doesn’t go as planned Traveling when you have horses is never simple. There are always arrangements to make—feed preparation, clear instructions, emergency contacts, and the constant question of who’s going to handle things while you’re gone. … Read More
How to Protect Large Animals in a Fire Emergency By Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Staff The winter chill has begun to blow through the U.S., and the comfort of a warm fire is a welcome respite. But as owners move their large animals into their … Read More
Helmet Use Reduces Likelihood of Severe Injury I respect that everyone has their own comfort level and makes their own choices. In many ways, safety is like climbing a ladder—we all choose the rung we’re most comfortable with. For some, that might mean wearing a helmet every time they ride. … Read More
Trail Horses Need Training for Control and Safety I recently read one of Ty Evans’ reflections on training and the standards we should aim for with our animals. A sentiment he often hears is, “I don’t need any of that fancy stuff; I just want to go down the trail.” … Read More
Equine health course to equip riders with essential horse care skills October 10, 2024 – by Ashley Vargo Texas A&M University System veterinarians and Texas A&M AgriLife educational development specialists are collaborating to deliver a new training program to educate mounted patrol units throughout the nation on all the skills needed to care for their … Read More
Setting Yourself Up for Success I didn’t really want to tell my friends about my last broken arm. It was a lot of drama and kind of embarrassing. My friends were shocked. Three broken arms in less than a year? What the heck were you doing? Other phrases were also … Read More
The Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC), which provides the vital Outbreak Alerts many of our readers and members appreciate, is conducting a biosecurity survey with support from the USDA. By participating, you’re helping protect horses from infectious diseases and ensuring the EDCC can continue improving this valuable resource for the … Read More
Keep Your Equines Safe and Where They Belong Few things are more important on a horse property than good fencing. Well-constructed, safe, effective fences give you the peace of mind to know your horses will stay home and add value to your property. Fencing represents a huge financial outlay, so … Read More
Pay Attention to Four Crucial Areas It was an ordinary late summer day—dry and warm, the perfect moment to be on horseback. We had been riding daily since mid June and had led almost 1000 kids, ages 8 to 10, out on trail rides. Most of them were first-time riders, … Read More
